Thriving Participation, Fragile Foundations

Our Policy Director, Jessica Plant reflects on the implications of the newly published Creative Lives Monitor 2026, and considers what a new UK Government might mean for local creative groups. 

Creative Lives Monitor highlights the fragility of grassroots creative groups

Local creative groups – from knitting circles to Bollywood dance troupes, community orchestras to graffiti clubs – all play a crucial role in showcasing the innovative and diverse cultural landscape across the UK & Ireland.  

Regardless of their size, location or art form, however, all creative groups are impacted by fluctuating political and economic challenges. 

Last week we published the Creative Lives Monitor 2026, our annual health-check of grassroots creativity across the UK & Ireland. 

The responses from over 500 local creative groups show that while participation in grassroots creativity is thriving, the vital community infrastructure that makes it possible faces collapse.

Our report shares the current state of these groups and highlights their challenges, so we can improve the support we give to groups, shout loudly about their incredible impact, and provide evidence to policymakers and strategic partners to influence the conditions the groups operate in.

The key findings in this year's Monitor show:

  • Groups are financially fragile, with the cost-of-living crisis increasing outgoings and reducing income.
  • There is a huge demand for creative activity, but it isn’t equally spread - protected groups are often underserved.
  • An ageing population means ageing leadership, and urgent challenges about who will take on the mantle.
  • The struggle to access appropriate, affordable, and accessible venues continues to hinder groups and those they support.
  • Groups are isolated from, and struggle to establish meaningful connections with, local authorities and other civic infrastructure, reducing their impact.

New and emerging themes

This year, we saw increased responses concerned about social cohesion and artificial intelligence. Local creative groups are also asking for better evidence and greater championing of the value of grassroots creativity.

We are also seeing significant opportunities for partnership working, particularly within health and wellbeing, and nature-based and environmental causes, but no clear or strategic way for groups to get involved or be recognised, locally or nationally. 

Turning insight into action

Creative Lives wants to use this timely evidence to impact policy, investment, and the profile of grassroots creativity – and to support groups the best we can with their most pressing concerns. 

We are responding to the evidence from this year’s Monitor, in the following areas: 

  1. Social cohesion: Joining the Together Coalition, contributing to the National Conversation, and developing new resources to support groups to be even more welcoming, inclusive and accessible. 
  2. Artificial intelligence: Championing the joy of human creativity through our partnership with BBC Radio, Creative Lives on Air, and creating a new resource for local creative groups that explores the ethical, environmental, and creative considerations of using AI. 
  3. The evidence base for grassroots creativity: Update our own guidance on the impact of grassroots creativity, and contribute to policy discussions and consultations across the nations. 
  4. New partnership opportunities: Support local places to connect better with their health systems, and highlight the role that grassroots creativity already makes to sustainable practices. 

A new UK Government

It's interesting to think about how we can best activate our findings from the Creative Lives Monitor within the context of a new UK Government. We are very pleased to learn that Lisa Nandy will continue as Culture Secretary, becoming the longest serving postholder since 2010.  This consistency, plus her commitment to Arts Everywhere, is vitally needed at a time when the grassroots cultural sector is facing such significant challenges.

We are also enthused that new Prime Minister Andy Burnham was once Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport – the first ever Prime Minister to have served as such. He has spoken about the role arts can play in fostering social change and galvanising hope and regeneration in underserved communities. We hope this new Government brings a renewed focus to the crucial role grassroots arts and culture can play in a positive, asset-based, community-led approach to community cohesion and prosperity.

We feel existing UK Government schemes such as Pride in Place and Towns and Cities of Culture are well-placed to drive the Prime Minister’s vision, and that grassroots creativity can be further activated to support his long-term goals.

Creative Lives believes passionately that country-wide governmental policies and ambitions can only happen if local communities, and local creative groups, are valued, supported and invested in. Though we continue to see significant change across the UK & Ireland (our last blog about political change was only months ago), one thing is certain: Creative Lives will continue to be the loudest voice possible for grassroots creativity, and the incredible impact it has on individuals and communities across the UK & Ireland.

How your group can take action today 

But we can’t do this alone. Join us in sharing the Creative Lives Monitor report, using our resources, writing to your local leaders and celebrating everyday creativity in your community.

Together, our voices are stronger, louder – a joyful, unstoppable chorus that can change lives and communities.

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